Creamy, flavorful tuna dip is the perfect appetizer for game day, parties or any gathering. It's easy to make, and it's sure to be a hit with everyone.
Easy Tuna Dip Recipe
Are you looking for an easy and delicious dip to serve at your next game-day party? Look no further than this creamy Tuna Dip recipe! Not only is it simple to make, but its light and refreshing flavor makes it a perfect snack or appetizer.
This Tuna Dip is great as an appetizer served with crostini, crackers or vegetables, but it’s also tasty enough to be served as part of your lunch or dinner meal too! Plus it's full of protein so it'll keep you satisfied until your next meal.
Enjoy your flavorful and easy-to-make Tuna Dip! It's sure to be a hit with your guests at your next party!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Quick and easy - This tuna dip recipe is made using simple ingredients and it's incredibly easy to make. All you need is canned tuna, some cream cheese, and a few other pantry staple to whip up a batch of creamy goodness. Plus, it comes together in just minutes – so you can easily prepare it right before serving time!
- Make ahead - This dip keeps well in the fridge so you can make this a day or a few days ahead of when you plan to serve.
- Healthy - Tuna dip is full of protein and fatty acids thanks to the tuna and cream cheese. Not only it can be served as an appetizer or snack, it'll be perfect spread on sandwiches for a light lunch or dinner.
- Customizable - To top it all off, this recipe is highly customizable as well. If you prefer a spicier version, simply add some hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your mixture; if you're more into sweetness, add some sweet relish or chopped dill pickles instead.
Ingredients
Canned Tuna - A recipe is as good as the ingredients used. You'll want to use good quality tuna. Choose one with low mercury levels such as light tuna or ahi tuna. If you're watching calories, use tuna in water instead of tuna in oil. As for flaked or chunks, I prefer to use chunks of tuna as it's easier to drain than flaked tuna.
Cream cheese - this is what makes this tuna dip thick and creamy and makes it hold up well when serving or in the fridge.
Mayonnaise - gives a tangy and robust flavor to the dip. You can skip adding mayo if you're using tuna in oil.
Green onion - you can separate the white part and green part of the spring onions and use the green part to garnish. Red onion or yellow onion can be used in a pinch.
Lemon juice - for freshness and to round up all the flavors.
Spices - onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper gives the dip a spicy kick. Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for more heat.
Herbs - chopped dill will be great if you have it. Fresh parsley or cilantro will be great additions too.
How to Make Tuna Dip
*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
Slice the green onions thinly and reserve some green parts to garnish.
Into the a bowl of a food processor, add the drained tuna, cream cheese, sliced green onions, mayo, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper. Pulse to combine.
Process until you get a creamy texture with a bit of chunky pieces.
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Drain water - You'll want to drain as much water as possible from the tuna. This makes the dip creamy and also extends the shelf life.
- No food processor? - You can also mix the dip by hand. Chop the ingredients finely. And make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so it mixes in easily. Mix all the ingredients with a whisk in a large bowl until well combined.
how to make smoked tuna dip
Smoking as a cooking technique adds an extra layer of flavor to a dish. It's so easy to make a delicious smoked tuna dip that will wow your guests.
All you have to do is add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the ingredients. You can find liquid smoke in supermarkets or your local grocery store. Alternatively, you can also use smoked tuna steaks instead of canned in this recipe.
Buffalo tuna dip
Don't you love everything buffalo flavored? I know I do, specially my Air Fryer Buffalo Wings and Buffalo Cauliflower.
If you want to serve buffalo tuna dip for your party or game day, add Buffalo hot sauce to the ingredients and proceed with the recipe. I like to use Frank's buffalo hot sauce. Start with 1 tablespoon and increase it to taste.
How To make tuna dip without cream cheese
Not a fan of cream cheese, not to worry. There are several substitutions you can make that taste just as delicious as the original. Use sour cream instead of cream cheese and it'll taste just as amazing.
Another great substitution for cream cheese if you're watching calories or want a light dip, is Greek yogurt. Use the same amount of Greek yogurt as cream cheese.
How To Serve
My favorite part of making a dip is serving them. Serve it with your favorite crackers and vegetables!
I include some type of bread like crostini, crackers and vegetables on the serving tray along with the dip. Here are some of my favorites to include with this dip.
- Bread - crostini, pita chips, crackers
- Vegetables - carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes
- Chips - potato chips, tortilla chips
how to store tuna dip
Store leftover tuna dip in an airtight container in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days. Make sure it doesn't have any crumbs.
This party favorite can also be made a couple of days ahead.
Remove from the fridge half an hour before serving or serve it cold.
More Appetizer Recipes You'll Love:
- Dill Dip With Greek Yogurt
- Easy Homemade Crostini
- Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
- Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
Recipe
Easy Tuna Dip With Canned Tuna
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 2 canned tuna 6 oz each, drained
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 spring onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Slice the green onions thinly and reserve some green parts to garnish.
- Into the a bowl of a food processor, add the drained tuna, cream cheese, sliced green onions, mayo, lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper. Pulse to combine.
- Process until you get a creamy texture with a bit of chunky pieces.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Variations
- Smoked tuna dip - add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke or use smoked tuna in the recipe.
- Buffalo tuna dip - add 1 tablespoon buffalo hot sauce. Increase if needed.
- Without cream cheese - substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt.
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